In New York City, physical changes to the interior of an apartment that are reasonable accommodations and/
or modifications for a disabled tenant in occupancy, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms, that in other
instances might otherwise qualify as an individual apartment improvement increase(s) will not be subject to
such rent increase based on the provisions of the New York City Human Rights Law pertaining to the rights
of individuals with a disability. See N.Y.C. Admin. Code § 8-107(5). If there are any questions, please contact
the NYC Commission of Human Rights.
VI. RETENTION OF RECORDS
The rent laws generally do not require an owner who has duly registered an apartment with DHCR to
maintain or produce records relating to the rental of an apartment for more than six years prior to the most
recent rent registration statement. However, because of exceptions to the six-year rule, it is recommended that
owners keep IAI records for more than six years.
VII. TREBLE DAMAGES
Overcharges resulting from the disallowance of claimed IAIs are subject to treble damages unless the owner
can prove that the overcharge was not willful. The RSL provides that the burden of proof is on the owner to
establish that the overcharge is not willful. The determination of whether to impose treble damages is based
on DHCR’s review of the facts presented in the subject case.
Woody Pascal
Deputy Commissioner for Rent Administration
Revised February 3, 2020
Revised (2/20) OB-2016-1 Page 7 of 7